Thursday Screenings: A Cinematic Tradition at LastBench
By Bhavi Jariwala
When you work on films, you end up collecting a lot of reference material from the internet - and the process is similar to embarking on a treasure hunt through the vast internet. Every click leads to a discovery, a unique video, or just a snippet of cinematic brilliance. At LastBench, this treasure trove of inspiration doesn't just sit in our digital archives—it's shared, discussed, and even celebrated in one Slack group aptly named 'awesome videos'.
These films don’t just serve as references for clients but are also a big source of inspiration for us. Every time we consume something, we dwell on what can be taken away from it and how we can incorporate it into our work. What began as a simple exchange of reference material has evolved into something much more profound - a weekly ritual we fondly call ‘Thursday Screening sessions’. Jerry, Associate Creative Director at LastBench and resident Cinephile, took the lead on this one and we now have a space to celebrate our shared passion for films.
For me, watching movies is an experience better enjoyed in the company of others. From laughing out loud because of a well-timed comedic scene to the silence that descends during moments of profound emotion, watching movies together encourages a communal celebration of storytelling. So when I went in for my first ever Thursday Screening session, I found it to be a very refreshing exercise which I believe any creative person in this industry should practise.
It’s one thing to passively consume films, but it's another thing to dive deep into the nuances of each masterpiece, dissecting its themes, technical details, and sharing perspectives with fellow enthusiasts. In my very first Thursday Screening session, we watched one particularly emotional documentary about gender discrimination and as the credits rolled, I realised how there’s boundless creativity and experimentation in the world of filmmaking. It was a reminder that inspiration knows no bounds, and discussions like these help you keep your ideas fresh.
At the end of the day, it's not just about the movies—it's about the shared experience, the conversations, and the occasional existential crisis induced by a particularly pretentious French film. Some films stay with us, some are a hit-and-miss - but we always ensure these screenings keep happening.
Here are a few videos/films/episodes that particularly stood out for us, and we highly recommend them to anyone as passionate about films as we are:
High Maintenance (S04E04) - High Maintenance is an American comedy series that explores the private lives of unique New Yorkers through a common thread: their weed delivery man.
Ice Merchants - A frigid and precarious tale, the beautifully animated short film “Ice Merchants” by João Gonzalez follows a father and son as they harvest and sell ice.
All those sensations in my belly - A highly expressive depiction of someone’s quest to find physical and emotional intimacy, whilst overcoming the struggles of self-discovery.